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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 29: Kṛṣṇa and the Gopīs Meet for the Rāsa Dance
10.29.3010.29.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.29.31

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The beautiful gopīssince 10.29.31inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

गोप्य ऊचु:

मैवं विभोऽर्हति भवान् गदितुं नृशंसं

सन्त्यज्य सर्वविषयांस्तव पादमूलम् ।

भक्ता भजस्व दुरवग्रह मा त्यजास्मान्

देवो यथादिपुरुषो भजते मुमुक्षून् ॥ ३१ ॥

śrī-gopya ūcuḥ

maivaṁ vibho ’rhati bhavān gadituṁ nṛ-śaṁsaṁ

santyajya sarva-viṣayāṁs tava pāda-mūlam

bhaktā bhajasva duravagraha mā tyajāsmān

devo yathādi-puruṣo bhajate mumukṣūn

Translation

The beautiful gopīs said: O all-powerful one, You should not speak in this cruel way. Do not reject us, who have renounced all material enjoyment to render devotional service to Your lotus feet. Reciprocate with us, O stubborn one, just as the primeval Lord, Śrī Nārāyaṇa, reciprocates with His devotees in their endeavors for liberation.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seeking Reciprocation in Devotional Service

  1. 1

    The gopīs appeal to all-powerful Kṛṣṇa not to speak cruelly or reject them.

  2. 2

    They have renounced material enjoyment to render devotional service to His lotus feet. Service to Him is their purpose in approaching Him.

  3. 3

    They ask Kṛṣṇa to reciprocate with them, just as the primeval Lord, Śrī Nārāyaṇa, reciprocates with devotees who endeavor for liberation.

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofSB 10.23.29

Here the brāhmaṇas’ wives are saying something similar to what the gopīs say at the beginning of the rāsa dance, when Lord Kṛṣṇa tells them to go home as well.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

How it feels

Separation → Transcendental intimacy. The peak of longing reveals the intensity of selfless love.

Chapters 29–33 of Canto 10: The gopīs' yearning, reunion and rasa. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 29: Kṛṣṇa and the Gopīs Meet for the Rāsa Dance

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The gopīs were crestfallen to hear this, and after crying a little they replied, with a bit of anger, “It is very unfair for You to reject young girls who have abandoned everything in their lives and come to You with the exclusive desire to serve You. By serving our husbands and children we receive only pain, whereas by serving You, the dearmost Soul of all living beings, we will perfectly fulfill the true religious duty of the self.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.29
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-gopyaḥ ūcuḥthe beautiful gopīs said
  2. mānot
  3. evamin this way
  4. vibhoO all-powerful one
  5. arhatishould
  6. bhavānYour good self
  7. gaditumspeak
  8. nṛ-śaṁsamcruelly
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.29

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.29

    In this verse: “material”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 10.29

    In this verse: “renounced”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Is my wish to approach Kṛṣṇa centered on serving Him?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer asking Kṛṣṇa to accept your devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeeking Reciprocation in Devotional ServiceThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 10.29.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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